The previous day was concluded after the heavy rain had passed, and the celebration had finished the next morning with both Lefiya and Ais. After the celebration, I came back to Twilight Mansion and was on my way, walking through the hallways of the Twilight manor, to meet Shakti for the patrol shift.
When I noticed the door to Finn's office was open, and he was holding a weird mask in his hands. It was the kind of mask people would wear at parties. And not only that, he was also wearing a colorful cape, with purple and white being the primary colors, the same as the mask.
"What's with the strange get-up?" Finn turned with a start and sighed. Hm? Was that a sigh of relief?
"Oh, it's just you, Arin, ...this costume is a crucial part of my plan. Though I'd call it more of a whim than a plan." he explained, putting on the mask that hid the upper half of his face.
"What plan?" I asked, confused at how this comical costume could help with any plans.
"I was thinking of wearing this costume and mask to hide my identity and help out the struggling adventurers. This way, the Prum race's reputation will rise. Too many people still see us as weak or only suited for support roles. A mysterious hero who happens to be Prum... it plants a seed of doubt in those prejudices, or so I think." Finn explained, wearing that weird mask.
"Hm…" I put a hand on my chin, pondering his words. A faceless hero, huh? Sounds fun. "Then let me in it too," I said.
"I mean, I don't mind, but why so?" Finn raised an eyebrow in wonder.
"Because it sounds fun. Besides, don't a hero need a sidekick?" I replied. "Though when the time comes, I am expecting you to be my sidekick as well."
He laughed, "Sure, I will, but what about your patrol shift? Won't you get in trouble with Ankusha?"
"Eh, it's fine, Shakti won't really mind, but I will let her know." I showed him the communication device, retrieving it from my pocket.
"That thing is really convenient, but you know I only have this one mask. What are you going to do about that?" I pondered on his question, then remembered the mask I had previously used.
"... it's not a problem, I have a mask," I said, "though it's not as fancy as yours, but it will do well to hide my face better than yours."
"That's good then, oh, and can you do me a favor and not tell anyone else about this?" he asked, walking closer in that new and strange get-up of his.
"Sure, just let me get my own mask from my room, and we can meet up near the entrance of the 2nd floor." I turned back to leave while Finn went towards the window of his office, providing a clear view of the dungeon tower and the whole city.
"Then see you there, Arin, and make sure no one notices you," Finn said and jumped down on the window.
"You are more likely to get the attention with that funny costume of yours…" I muttered as I made my way back to my room and retrieved the black mask I used before when I was cleaning up the Evilius remnants.
I changed the black cloak I was wearing to a brown one and wrapped a white cloth around my arm guards. I stood in front of the big mirror and gave a nod. Now with this, even if I come across a familiar face, they won't be able to recognize me immediately. I thought as my eyes drifted towards my swords hanging at my waist belt.
Should I leave the sword behind, too? …Nah, it's better to have it with me, after all, we are entering the dungeon. Besides, my sword looks very normal; as long as one doesn't pay attention, it would be difficult to recognize.
"Gotta go now." Just as Finn, I also decided to take the back door and jumped out of my room window, landing on the ground without any sound. "Kaguya techniques are really convenient," I observed, before jumping over the manor wall and racing towards the dungeon.
Before long, I was near it, as I took a final leap over a building and made my way towards the entrance. My masked face hidden by the hood of my cloak, I entered the dungeon, walking down the stairs leading to the first floor, the echoes of my feet being my sole companions. The moisture in the air, ever-present in the dungeon, clung to my skin.
I walked through the corridor on the first floor, and piles of ashes were scattered around on the floor, giving the telltale sign that Finn had just been here. And sure enough, at the end of the corridor, I could see him leaning against the wall, still donning his mask and that cape.
"You seem strangely prepared for this adventure?" Finn said, looking at my black mask and cape, "Were you planning something similar?"
"No, I am just more used to it, I guess?" I said, not intending to reveal any further, at least not before I tell the girls.
"Is that so? …I am curious, but it seems you won't reveal anything, and we are also behind schedule. Let's be on our way." Finn turned and started walking down the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Wait, we have a schedule? When did that happen?" I asked, following him down the stairs.
"Just now?" he replied with his usual annoyingly soft smile.
"...You aren't even sure yourself."
"Haha, guilty as charged," he laughed, "but we should still hurry, someone might be in trouble as we are talking."
"Oh yeah? Then why don't you move those small legs of yours faster?" I said with a smirk playing on my lips.
"You sound like Riveria and Gareth, they used to make fun of me with that exact line during our early days of adventuring," he said, with a nostalgic look, "though Gareth still does it.
"Really, Gareth, I could understand, but Riveria?" I shook my head, "… it's hard to imagine. Besides, she had never talked about that either."
"Maybe she is just embarrassed and doesn't want you to find out about it," Finn stated his guess, which I somewhat agree with, since, as of now, Riveria has a very composed and mature image.
We walked deeper and deeper into the dungeon as we talked, reaching the middle floors in search of a poor, troubled soul.
"Why is it so hard to find someone who is in trouble? There are usually a few people screaming and running," I said, as even after a few hours, we haven't found anyone who might require any help.
"Help!" An anguished cry echoed through the fourteenth floor. Finn and I exchanged a look and raced through the dungeon in the direction the voice came from.
In mere seconds, we had arrived at the location where three adventurers were facing a small group of Hell hounds. Two of the three adventurers were severely injured with deep gashes of burns marring their bodies, as they tried desperately to fight.
"Somebody, help! My friends are going to get killed by a monster!" the third guy, less injured than the first two, screamed again.
"Alright, I'll help." Finn stepped forward, his spear reflecting the dungeon's dim light. He moved like lightning—one thrust, two, three—and hellhound heads flew through the air before the beasts even registered his presence. While Finn was taking care of the monster, I decided to tend to the injured adventurer, giving them a magic and health potion. The burns faded, healthy skin knitting back together. When Finn, after taking care of all the monsters in the vicinity, approached the group.
The adventurer stood up, seeing him come closer, "Thank you! You are a lifesaver!" the male elf adventurer said.
"You are so powerful… You must be a famous adventurer. What's your name?" the adventurer who was screaming for help spoke next.
"Mmm… well…" Finn hesitated. I remained quiet as well. Crap! We forgot to come up with hero names! Amidst my panic, Finn quietly whispered, "Arin, can we talk for a moment?"
"Yes, sure," Both of us created a little distance between us and the adventurers as we talked.
"What aliases are we supposed to use here?" he asked.
"...You're seriously asking me? Don't you know I have a horrendous naming sense? And weren't you supposed to be the smart one?" I asked back.
"You are right, …I got this." Finn gave a thoughtful look as he turned to address the adventures waiting. "Sorry for the confusion. As for our names—," He paused dramatically, "...What would you like to call us?"
"Huh?" the adventurers let out a confused voice, followed by silence.
"..." Finn seemed to have realized the mistake as well as he spoke, "That was uncalled for. Forget I said that."
"S-Sorry, I don't mind who you are. We owe you our lives. Thank you," the first adventurer looked at both Finn and me as he spoke.
"Don't worry about it. Just get proper treatment when you reach the surface." I advised them as they walked towards the stairs leading to the upper floors.
After they had disappeared from our view, Finn spoke again, "A name, huh? We do need a name. Something suited for this project. Do you have any suggestions, Arin?" he asked.
"Huh? Like I said, I am not very good with this. But... what about Black Mask and Purple Mask?" I recommended some names at the top of my head. Though Finn shook his head after hearing them, "What the heck? If you have any complaint, then why don't you think of one?"
"I am also not good with that, but it's fine, Arin, we can think of some fitting names as we help more people," Finn spoke as we started walking again.
We continued to walk through the dungeon, thinking of good names as we helped more and more adventurers. That is when we encounter a lone female adventurer, leaning against the stone wall, grabbing her abdomen. While the injury wasn't life-threatening, A nasty gash across her side, still bleeding through her makeshift bandage.
"Ugh… it hurts… I am done for…" she muttered through her ragged breath. Finn was quick to approach her.
"Hang in there," he said, "Here's a potion. Relax."
"Ah, T-Thank you," The girl replied.
"Can you stand?" Finn asked, helping the girl stand up.
"Yes, barely. Thanks to your potion," she said.
"Entering the dungeon alone is dangerous; you should be better prepared next time," I advised. Maybe my words came out too strongly as the girl shifted uncomfortably.
"Y-Yes. Thank you. I can make it back to town now," the girl replied, her voice shaking. And as she tried to walk away, Finn called her out.
"Wait, you can't fight in that condition, I'll… make a path for you." Finn declared, and since it was decided, we made our way through the dungeon floor and reached the first floor in no time.
"Now, you have a path to Babel. Go while you still can." Finn said, looking at the girl.
"Thank you for everything, both of you," the girl bowed deeply once, before making her way up the stairs.
"Should we go back to work?" I asked, Finn nodded.
"I found Finn!" just when we turned back, a cheerful and familiar voice called out.
"We're busted…" I muttered, recognizing Tiona's voice.
Finn's hand moved to his mask, as if checking it was still secure. "Stay calm. Maybe she won't—"
"And someone else with a cool mask!" Tiona's voice grew closer. "Hey! Wait up!"
"Definitely busted."
How are we going to get out of this now?